Window shade and awning construction



July 5, 1955 w. A. SMITH 2,712,353

WINDOW SHADE AND AWNING CONSTRUCTION Filed March 19, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet l h N r III i INVENTOR.

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WINDOW SHADE AND AWNING CONSTRUCTION 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 19, 1952 INVENTOR.

WESLEY H. 94/ 'BY W w United States PatentOfifice 2,712,353 a Patented July 5, 1955 2,712,353 WINDOW SHADE AND AWNING CONSTRUCTION Wesley A. Smith, St. Clair Tilt-A-Door Corporation, tion of Michigan Application March 19, 1952, Serial No. 277,378

4 Claims. (Cl. 160-96) Shores, Mich., assignor to Detroit, Mich., a corpora- This invention relates to combined window, shade and movement past a selected point of a cord connected to said shade, said device including means for releasing said drag for precisely controllable periods of time in response to the will of an operator.

Other objects and purposes of the invention will become apparent to persons acquainted with windows of this genawning structure for a building and particularly to a type thereof wherein the window is pivoted on a horizontal axis and a shade is carried on the same structure as the glass panel.

arrangements have been provided in almost infinite variety but, insofar as I am aware, no previous attempt has proven successful in providing a window, shade and awning structure in combination as a single integrated unit and particularly of a type having the window mounted for pivoting on a horizontal axis.

Among the several providing such a unit ciently counterbalancing the window structure so as to already in a drawn position.

Accordingly, a principal object of the invention is the A further object of the invention has been to provide a device for imposing a releasable drag operating to control problems which must be solved in is the problem of properly and sufiieral type upon a reading of the following specification and inspection of the accompanying drawings.

General description In carrying out the above objects and purposes I have provided a window frame for defining a window opening and a window sash positioned within said frame. Means are provided for supporting said window sash on said cord as said window is opened.

Detailed description In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevation as seen from the exterior dow is applied.

view of my improved window of a building to which said win- Figure 2 is a' somewhat generalized section taken on the line IIII of Figure 1. i

Figure 3 is a detailed sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line IIIIII of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a detailed sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line IV--IV of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a section taken on the line VV ofFigure Figure 6 is a horizontal section rated 111 Figure 5 for forming a mullion by which a" zontal position.

Figure 8 is a section taken on the line VIIIVIII of Figure 3. Y

1 Figure 9 is a detail of the shock absorber.

/ ure 3.

I Figure 11 is a section taken on the line XI--XI 'of Fig ure 3.

Figure 12 is a section taken on the line XII-XII of Figure 3 but showing only the sash structure. j Figure 13 is a fragmentary view'of a sash taken from thereof and showing the positioning of Figure 10 is a section taken on the line X'-X. of Fig- Figure 15 is a further detail of the drag mechanism shown on the line XV-.XV of Figure 14.

For the purpose of convenience in reference in the following description, and having no suggestion of limitation, the terms inward and outward, and their derivatives, will mean inwardly and outwardly with respect to a building with which the window being described is used. The terms upward and downward, and derivatives thereof, will refer to vertical directions with respect to the window when in its normal position of use. The terms leftward and rightward and derivatives thereof, will refer to directions when viewing the window from the outside of the building to which it is attached, that is, when viewed as appearing in Figure 1.

The structure in general is preferably of aluminum but may be of any convenient material.

Referring now to the drawings in detail and particularly to Figures 1 and 2, there is provided a conventional header 1 and a conventional sill 2 which are here shown as constructed of concrete and are mounted with respect to a window opening and are related to the sides of the window opening in a conventional manner. The window of the invention is shown mounted within the window opening and comprises a sash 3 holding a panel 4, supporting a counterweight 6 and all mounted upon a pivot 7 within a frame 5. Operating mechanism 8 is positioned at one side of the window and is connected by a linkage to the sash 3 (Figure 13) for the purpose of determining the position of said sash with respect to said frame. A screen 9 (Figures 2, 3 and 4) may be provided by mounting same on said frame inwardly of said sash and said screen will be provided with a dome portion 11 for receiving the counterweight 6 when said window is in its open position.

Frame structure Now examining the structure of the window in more detail, and with particular attention to the frame thereof, there is shown in Figure 3 a frame header 12 having a top portion 13 lying on the underside of the header 1 and a front flange 14 extending downwardly from the outer edge thereof. Suitable installation clips 16 are fastened to the inner edge of said top portion 13 and are affixed to the header 1 in any conventional manner.

The frame stiles are illustrated in Figures 1 and 5. The frame stile 17 comprises a web 18, an inner flange 19 and an outer flange 21 having therein the step 22 cooperating with a sidewardly extending flange from the window sash as appearing hereinafter. The web of said frame stile 17 is somewhat wider at its upper end than at its lower end and it tapers smoothly from the upper end to the lower end. it is preferably mounted so that the inner edge thereof is substantially vertical and thus the outer edge thereof is at a substantial angle to the vertical, as shown in the drawings. A backing member 23 has flanges at each of its inner and outer edges which lie flat against the inner flange 19 and the outer flange 21 by which said frame stile 17 is provided with stiffness and a surface is provided for contacting the wooden shim 24 which in turn may conveniently lie against a wooden frame member 26.

The frame stile 27 on the other side of the window is constructed in substantially the same manner as the frame stile 17 and needs no express detailing.

The sill portion of the frame structure (Figures 1 and 4) comprises the member 28 which in turn comprises a web 29, an inner flange 31, and an outer flange 32. Said outer flange has a step 33 in it corresponding to the step 22 of the stiles for reception of a peripherally extending flange of the sash. Said frame sill 28 may be affixed to the building sill in any conventional manner, as by installation clips 34 bolted to the inner flange 31 and embedded in the concrete of the sill ,2.

Sash structure sash rails 38 and 39.

4 Referring to Figure it will be seen that the sash stile 36 has a web portion 41, an inner flange 42 and an outer flange 43 which outer flange has a step portion 44 therein for receiving the glass panel 4, as shown. The web portion 41 is substantially wider at its upper end than at its lower end and it tapers evenly from one end to the other. The web portion 41 is of width throughout its length substantially similar to the corresponding width of the adjacent frame stile and thus, the inner edge of the sash stile is substantially flush with the inner edge of the frame stile, as appearing in Figures 5 and 10, and the outer edge of the sash stile is likewise substantially flush with the step 22 of the frame stile to effect snug overlapping thereof throughout their respective vertical lengths as detailed further hereinafter.

The other sash stile 37 is constructed substantially similarly and needs no detailing.

The upper sash rail has a web portion 46 (Figure 3), an inner flange 47 and an outer flange 48. Said outer flange having a step 49 at its lower extremity for the pura pose of receiving the upper edge of the glass panel as shown.

The lower sash rail 38 (Figure 4) has a substantially rectangular portion 51 with its lower sheet extended to define the step 52 and the outer flange 53. Said step 52 receives the lower edge of the glass panel as shown and said outer flange 53 engages in sealing relationship with the step 33 of the frame sill for weather tight sealing therebetween when said window is closed. If desired, a pad 54' may be placed on the step 52 for the better support of the glass panel.

A reinforcing plate 56 (Figures 3, 10 and 12) is placed adjacent the web 4-1 of the sash stile 36 and extends from a point below the hereinafter detailed pivot structure 57 to the upper end of said sash. Said reinforcing plate may, in some cases, be made of steel to insure adequate strength thereof but in most ordinary cases aluminum will be satisfactory.

The counterweight portion of the window maybe made in any of several convenient ways and in any event it essentially consists of means for holding suitable weights at a point adjacent the upper extremity of the sash and above said pivot structure 57 In this particular embodiment, the angle 58 (Figure 12) is mounted adjacent the upward extension of the inner flange 42 and it, together with the upper shell 59 is held in position by a bolt 61 threaded into and through a weight 62. Said shell comprises a generally rectangular box shape in cross-section, the free ends of which meet and are affixed together, as by welding, at 63 (Figure 3).

A further angle member 64 (Figure 12) is positioned in-. wardly of the forward face 66 of said shell and extends partially across the end of said counterweight construction. An elongated opening 67 is provided through the end flange 68 of said angle and a bolt 69 extends there through for holding said angle, the reinforcing plate 56 and the web 41 together. I

The pivot structure 57 (Figure 10) comprises a bolt 71, a washer 72 and a backing plate 73. The nut 74 holds said structure tightly together and then extends through the stile portion of the frame structure, which at the point of pivoting preferably includes a reinforcing plate 76.

Any conventional means may be provided but it will be found convenient to utilize a bolt having a step 77 and to hold same in place by a nut 78. Said structure is located as near as possible to the upper end of the window. The exact point of its location will be determined by the weight it is convenient to build into structure. This will normally be not lower than the upper 25% of the sash structure and in the specific embodiment herein utilized to illustrate the invention said pivot point lies a distance from the upper edge of said sash of approximately 23 A spring-roll shade construction 81 is held in a corr-v ventional manner on a bracket 52 which in turn is aflixed to the stiles of the sash frame inwardly of the glass panel the counterweight I of the total vertical height of the sash.

by rivet or screw assembly 83 (Figure This construction is repeated on the other side of the window. A rod 84 (Figure 3) extends from near the web portion 46 of the upper rail 39 to the lower sash rail 38 to provide support for the shade as appearing hereinafter.

Referring now to Figures 7 and 13, there is shown one simple and effective form of actuator by which the window may be readily opened and closed from the inside of the building. A rotatable disk 86, which allows a sealed operation at point of screening, is. pivoted by the bolt assembly 87 to the frame stile 17 (Figure 7) and is provided with a handle 88. A sector 89 is provided with a bracket 91 and is bolted at 92 to a portion of the said frame stile 17. Said sector has suitable notches 93 (Figures 4 and 7) into which a suitable plunger, as one integral with the handle 88, may enter in a conventional manner. The connecting link 94 (Figure 13) is pivotally afiixed to the disk at 96 at its one end and is pivotally aflixed to the sash stile 36 at its other end by any convenient means, such as the rivet or screw assembly 83. Said connecting link 94 is preferably, but not necessarily, broken intermediate its ends and provided with a shock absorbing mechanism 97 of any convenient kind, such as one having a plunger 98 (Figure 9) held between rubber bumpers 99 and 101.

Screen structure The screen structure 9 is arranged on the frame inwardly of the sash and extends across the entire width of the window. The frame 95 tional form, either extruded or rolled, and the screen cloth 100 may be fastened therein in a conventional manner, as illustrated in Figure 8. The screen frame may be fastened to the window frame by conventional screws as also shown in Figure 8. A course, need to be provided to accommodate theportion of the operator mechanism extending inwardly of said screen. This may be done in a conventional manner and the edge of said screen defining said cut-out portion may be provided with rubber strips (not shown) for tightly sealing any space which might otherwise exist between said screen and the operator mechanism.

The dome portion 11 of said screen structure extends inwardly sufficiently to accommodate the counterbalance portion of said sash structure open position. It is preferably constructed as shown in Figures 3 and 10, wherein there is shown an end frame member 103 having flanges 104 and 105. The flange 105 is utilized for afiixing the upper portion of the screen structure to the frame stile 17 and the flange 104 is utilized for supporting the inner panel of the screen. A further screen panel 106 closes the end frame member 103. Similar screen frame structure is provided at the other side of the window.

The shade cord 102 (Figure 1) extends from the window shade 107 of the spring roll 81 through a guide 109 which is afiixed centrally of the window and on the upper side of the lower sash rail 38. Said shade cord then extends inwardly through a drag mechanism 111 (Figure 4) of any convenient structure which is mounted centrally of the window upon a suitable bracket 112.

grammatically illustrated in Figures 14 and 15. figures there is shown a tube 114 through which the shade cord 102 extends. Said tube has a slot 116 in its underside and a drag roller 117 extends therethrough.

A generally U-shaped yoke 122 supports the drag roller 117 in position for extending through the slot 116 into the tube. The release button 113 is at the upper end of a threaded rod 123 which rod supports the web 124 therefor may be of convenwhen said window is in its 117 will be pushed downwardly correspondingly to release the cord. Thus, a drag of adjustable magnitude may be placed on the shade cord 102 and it will be maintained thereon by the spring 126 but same may be instantly released at any time desired merely by depression of the release button 113.

Operation With the shade in its rolled-up position, as indicated in the figures, and the window closed, the window will said cord in said drag structure, tions effectively as an awning of such extent from the building as desired. I

In the event the shade is window is opened, the shade will be drawn the rest of ing operation, regardless of the position of the shade when the window commences opening. Further, regardless of the position of the shade when the window commences opening, by properly selecting the length of the shade cord 102 and permitting it to run through the drag mechanism to the pull 110, the shade may be drawn the full length of the window by the time the window is in its fully open position.

Inasmuch as the shade the window is in its normally closed position without sacrificing all the advantages of the invention.

While not critical to all phases of the invention, it will be desirable to position the center of gravity of a counterweight 6 slightly inwardly of the axis of the pivot structure 57. Thus, the counterweight 6 will tend to open the window when same is released by the handle structure 88 and this will assist in overcoming the resistance to such opening imposed by the spring mechanism of the spring roll shade 81.

Thus, it will be recognized that this invention provides a combined window shade, screen and awning all in a single and self contained unit. With it, the installation of a single piece of equipment is effective to perform all of the functions normally performed by a window shade, an awning and a screen and the expense and inconvenience normally connected with the installing of these several items independently of each other is eliminated.

It will also be recognized that the window when used as an awning can be regulated both as to slant and as to the amount of awning shade coverage in keeping with the position of the sun, and yet on cool days, or cloudy days, when it is desirable to admit light or sun into the room, there are no outside fixed projections to prevent it.

While the embodiment here selected for illustrative purposes has assumed a single Window construction, it will be apparent in view of the foregoing and without further detailing that the use of a mullion as shown in Figure 6 for frame stiles will permit the arranging of these windows in an indefinite number across the width of a building wall. Nevertheless, each of such window units will continue to be operable independently of the other units.

Other modifications and variations may be made in the structure herein specifically disclosed, which modifications and variations will be obvious to persons acquainted with apparatus of this general type in view of the foregoing, which modifications and variations will be included within the scope of the hereinafter appended claims excepting as said claims may by their own terms expressly limit otherwise.

I claim:

1. In window construction, the combination comprising: sash structure including a pair of sash stiles, each thereof being materially wider in an inward and outward direction at its upper end than at its lower end, an upper rail connecting the upper ends of said sash stiles and including a counterweight and a lower rail connecting the lower ends of said sash stiles; frame structure surrounding said sash structure, pivotally supporting same for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis and providing jamb structure for engagement by the peripheral edges of said sash stiles; a glass panel mounted adjacent the outer edges of said sash stiles; a shade and shade supporting roll mounted on said sash parallel with and closely adjacent said axis, said roll being adapted for exerting a constant tendency for rolling said shade into fully rolled position; a pull cord attached to the free end of said shade; a guide at the lower end of said sash; means fixed with respect to the frame of the window exerting a frictional force against said cord; the said counterweight being so positioned that the center of gravity of the entire structure above the pivot axis is inwardly of a vertical plane through said pivot axis whereby when said window is in a closed position said counterweight will tend to open said window and thereby at least partially overcome the resistance to opening of said window exerted thereon by said pull cord, said means exerting frictional force on said cord being capable of exerting sufficient force on said cord to overcome the tendency of said roll to keep said shade in a fully rolled position whereby said shade is unrolled as said sash structure pivots with respect to said frame structure into its outwardly extending position.

2. In window construction, the combination comprising frame structure adapted for attachment to a building wall; pairs of sash stiles and sash rails forming a sash filling the opening defined by said frame structure, counterbalancing means on the upper end of said sash, means pivotally supporting said sash within said frame structure for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis, the parts of said stiles and rails lying below the point of pivotal support being in weather sealing engagement with respect to the adjacent portion of the frame structure when said sash is in closed position, a panel supported by said sash, a shade and shade supporting structure mounted so that said shade lies adjacent said panel when in its extended position said shade supporting structure normally holding said shade to a non-extended position where it does not cover said panel, a pull cord attached to the free end of said shade, cord guide means on the lower end of said sash, said pull cord engaging said cord guide means, cord holding means mounted on said frame structure and adapted to grasp the pull cord, said cord holding means holding said cord as said sash and cord guide means mounted thereon move away from the frame structure during the opening movement of the sash whereby said shade is extended to cover said panel during said opening movement of said sash.

3. A device as in claim 2 wherein said shade supporting structure is a spring biased roll, said roll normally biasing said shade to a fully rolled position, said cord holding means including frictional drag means frictionally engaging said cord with a force sufi'icient to overcome the biasing force of said spring roll.

4. A device as in claim 2 wherein the frictional force exerted by said frictional drag means is adjustable and including means to release said frictional drag means from said cord.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

